An adjustable dual-emission fluorescent metal-organic framework: Effective detection of multiple metal ions, nitro-based molecules and DMA

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, 2019-12, Vol.223, p.117283, Article 117283
• Main Authors: Sun, Yun, Dong, Bao-Xia, Liu, Wen-Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DMA; Dual-emission; Fluorescence sensor; Metal ions; Metal-organic framework; Nitro-based molecules
• ISSN: 1386-1425
• DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117283

A novel multifunctional Pb(II)-based MOF, [Pb1.5(DBPT)]2·(DMA)3(H2O)4 (1), with excellent chemical stability, was successfully assembled by connecting {Pb2O10} unit with a multi-topic polycarboxylate ligand of 3-(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl)-5-(4-carboxylphenyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole (H3DBPT). It exhibits dual fluorescence emissions at 380 nm (λex = 280 nm) and 540 nm (λex = 380 nm), respectively. Through the adjustable dual fluorescence emissions, it could act as a turn-off and turn-on switch for detecting N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) molecule. Moreover, Fe3+ ions exert luminescence quenching role on compound 1 at both excitation lengths in water, among which the quenching at λex = 280 nm is of high sensitivity (KSV = 1.2 × 105), and the quenching at λex = 380 nm is of wide-range. The sensing for metal ions of In3+, Zr4+, and Al3+ is also effective at λex = 280 nm, with the KSV constants of 1.6 × 105, 1.6 × 105, and 4.3 × 104, respectively. More importantly, a series of nitroaromatic compounds (TNP, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol; 4-NA, 4-nitroaniline; NB, nitrobenzene) and nitro-based drugs (MNZ, metronidazole; DMZ, dimetridazole) could be detected at both excitation lengths, demonstrating the advantage of broad range response of fluorescence sensing. Thanks to the excellent chemical stability and unusual dual emission luminescence properties for chemical detection of various metal ions, nitro-based molecules and DMA solvent, the Pb-based MOF reported in this work is, therefore, a very promising multi-response sensor. [Display omitted] •A Pb-based framework of [Pb1.5(DBPT)]2·(DMA)3(H2O)4 (1) with excellent chemical stability was assembled.•It exhibits dual fluorescence emissions centered at 380 nm (λex = 280 nm) and 540 nm (λex = 380 nm), respectively.•It could act as turn-off and turn-on switch for sensing DMA molecule via the dual fluorescence emissions.•It can selectively detect Fe3+ at different excitation lengths.•A series of NACs (TNP, 4-NA, NB) and nitro-based drugs (MNZ, DMZ) could be detected at both excitation lengths.